Viola Davis makes history as first black woman to win best actress in a drama series at the 2015 Emmy Awards

The 50-year-old actress scored her first Emmy Award on Sunday for her riveting role as Annalise Keating in "How To Get Away With Murder" and made television history as the first black woman to win Best Actress in a Drama Series at the prestigious award show.

Davis, who looked stunning in a sparkling white dress with black sparkling accents, got emotional as she took the stage to accept her award. She began her speech by quoting Harriet Tubman:

"In my dreams and visions, I seemed to see a line, and on the other side of that line were green fields, and lovely flowers, and beautiful white ladies, who stretched out their arms to me over the line, but I couldn't reach them no-how. I always fell before I got to the line."

See Viola Davis on the Emmy Award stage in the gallery below:

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Viola Davis at the Emmy Awards

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Viola Davis makes history as first black woman to win best actress in a drama series at the 2015 Emmy Awards

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 20: Actress Viola Davis accepts Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series award for 'How to Get Away with Murder' onstage during the 67th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 20, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 20: Actress Viola Davis accepts Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series award for 'How to Get Away with Murder' onstage during the 67th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 20, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 20: Actress Viola Davis accepts Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series award for 'How to Get Away with Murder' onstage during the 67th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 20, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Davis credited Tubman before telling the audience, "The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity."

The first-time Emmy nominee's statement got a roaring round of applause from actors in the audience, with Taraji P.Henson getting up to cheer for her friend and a moved Kerry Washington wiping away tears.

Davis concluded her speech by giving a shoutout to fellow black actresses, Gabrielle Union, Kerry Washington, Megan Good, Taraji P. Henson, director Shonda Rhimes and more for paving the way for women of color.

It was a touching moment for the entire Emmy Award ceremony.

See all the Emmy Award red carpet arrivals in the gallery below:

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Emmy Awards 2015 Red Carpet Arrivals

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Viola Davis makes history as first black woman to win best actress in a drama series at the 2015 Emmy Awards

Dancer and TV personality Julianne Hough shows off her tight bod in a scandalous cutout dress with a long train!

Renee Bargh looks futuristic in a tight, curve-hugging off-the-shoulder gown and some fierce gladiator strappy heels. We think she went a little overboard for this red carpet look.

(Photo credit: Steve Granitz via Getty Images)

TV personality Porsha Williams keeps it classy and elegant in a lace, high-low gown that accentuates her amazing figure and beautiful skin tone.

(Photo credit: Steve Granitz via Getty Images)

Actress Anna Chlumsky opted for a geometric-print strapless gown. Although a beautiful dress, we wish she would've picked out something colorful that highlights her beautiful skin.

(Photo credit: Mark Davis via Getty Images)

TV personality Keltie Knight opted for some color in her little black dress but we aren't sure if this is her best look yet!

(Photo credit: John Shearer via Getty Images)

Jaimie Alexander stuns in a sparkling, multi-colored frock that shows off her small frame. The "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D" actress completed her edgy look with a slicked back bob.

(Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

'Transparent' actress Amy Landecker is decked-out in a floral number, that reminds us a little too much of the backcountry.

(Photo: Frazer Harrison via Getty Images)

"Modern Family" actress Ariel Winter embodies old Hollywood glamour in a bright red strapless dress. She completes the look with some subtle accessorizing and makeup to match!

(Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

It looks like "Black-ish" actor Anthony Anderson (R) and his son Nathan Anderson are having a ton of fun on the red carpet! Both men looked incredibly dapper in their tuxes. We're loving the casual touch of the sneakers by the younger Anderson!

(Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Woah momma! TV personality Cat Deeley looks smokin' hot in a skin-tight sparkling number. The blonde bombshell proudly shows off the best accessory to have - a baby bump!

(Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

In a sea of black tuxedos, actor Mason Vale Cotton switched things up with a eye-catching navy jacket. The cute actor definitely knows how to make a presence on the red carpet!

(Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)

Emmy Awards veteran Jamie Lee Curtis struts her stuff in a floor-grazing black number. The "Scream Queens" actress completes the look with a diamond encrusted bangle we are swooning over!

(Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)

What a stunner! "Empire" actress Taraji P. Henson arrived on the carpet with one of the hottest looks of the night! The star combined both sophistication and sexiness in the black dress we are dying to have in our closets! Slay Taraji, slay!

(Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Comedian and actress Retta is glowing in a hot pink ombre number complete with a matching clutch!